Biden awards Medal of Freedom to 17 at White House (Video)

(7 Jul 2022) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: US NETWORK POOL Washington - 7 July 2022 1. SOUNDBITE: (English) Joe Biden, U.S. President "We the people, doing what we can to ensure the idea of America, the cause of freedom shines like the sun to light up the future of the world. That's the soul of our nation. That's who we are as Americans. 2. Mid of gymnast Simone Biles being recognized, UPSOUND (English) "Overcoming great odds, Simone Biles is the most decorated American gymnast in history. A former foster child who became a once in a generation athlete, transforming her sport with artistry and degrees of difficulty that reimagine what is possible." ++WHITE FLASH++ 3. Biden placing medal around Biles' neck 4. Mid of Biden awarding Gabrielle Giffords with Medal of Freedom UPSOUND (English) "Former U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords epitomizes public service. Voters elected her five times to state and federal office. Even after that January day in 2011 that shocked our nation's conscience, she summoned the courage to keep serving. She learned to walk, speak and write again." 5. Biden presents Giffords with Medal of Freedom 6. Mid of Amb. Cindy McCain accepting Medal of Freedom for the late Sen. John McCain, UPSOUND (English) "John McCain was a giant among Americans from a family of patriots, a genuine hero who endured unspeakable torture as a prisoner in the war in Vietnam. A true public servant elected twice to the U.S. House of Representatives and six times to the U.S. Senate by the people of Arizona. And nominated for the presidency by the Republican Party." ++WHITE FLASH++ 7. SOUNDBITE: (English) Joe Biden, U.S. President: "My fellow Americans, please congratulate this year's Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients." STORYLINE: President Joe Biden presented the nations highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, to 17 people, including gymnast Simone Biles, former Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and the late John McCain, the Arizona Republican with whom Biden served in the U.S. Senate. Bidens honors list includes both living and deceased honorees from the worlds of Hollywood, including actor Denzel Washington sports, politics, the military, academia, and civil rights and social justice advocacy.    The honorees who received medals from Biden have overcome significant obstacles to achieve impressive accomplishments in the arts and sciences, dedicated their lives to advocating for the most vulnerable among us, and acted with bravery to drive change in their communities, and across the world, while blazing trails for generations to come," according to the White House.    The honor is reserved for people who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values or security of the United States, world peace or other significant societal public or private endeavors, the White House said.    Biles is the most decorated U.S. gymnast in history, winning 32 Olympic and World Championship medals. She is an outspoken advocate on issues that are very personal to her, including athletes mental health, children in foster care and sexual assault victims.    McCain, who died of brain cancer in 2018, spent more than five years in captivity in Vietnam while serving in the U.S. Navy. He later represented Arizona in both houses of Congress and was the Republican presidential nominee in 2008. Biden said McCain was a dear friend and "a hero.          The other 13 medal recipients are:                - Steve Jobs. Jobs was the co-founder, chief executive and chair of Apple Inc. He died in 2011.                            Subscribe for more Breaking News: http://smarturl.it/AssociatedPress Website: https://apnews.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP Facebook: https://facebook.com/APNews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/19531b3b4dd54b69a7e91722b15ae285